OT: Remembering Ondoy

Exactly one year ago, thousands of Filipinos were devastated and hundreds perished in the Typhoon Ondoy.


Our family is one of those devastated by the typhoon. Although, we are thankful and glad that none in our family got hurt from the typhoon, I still can’t shake the images of Ondoy from my memory. We’ve been through a number of storms but never had we experienced being flooded and being helpless until then. All of the houses in our area were submerged in flood water. Some only the roofs were above the water. Many of our neighbors took refuge in the houses of the other who has second floors. Good thing my sister’s apartment is on the second floor so we have a place to stay. Some stayed outside or stairs of the other houses watching their house being submerged in water. Cars were pushed by the flood current to different place, neighborhood dogs howled for help and drowned in the flood.

It was a saddening and humbling sight. It was even more disheartening when I finally went to work, after being on leave for about 3 days because of the typhoon, and saw how vast the devastation was. I was left speechless especially after I saw a body that was just pulled out from the mud and was loaded to funeral home service van. When my previous officemate asked me how we were, no words came out but just tears. See how much destruction  Ondoy caused in the pictures below.

Ortigas Bridge along Ortigas Ext. Ave.

 

Aerial shot over Rizal area



Men trying to keep themselves safe on top of the vehicles and on the Meralco wirings

Remembering those scenes and seeing these images still bring tears to my eyes.

On a lighter note, even when the whole metro was being rampaged by Ondoy, it was a heartwarming to know that many couple braved through the storm and went on with their wedding. Even if they only have the priest, a pair of principal sponsors and a handful of their family members present to witness their unity; or even if they have to ride a pedicab to get to church; or even if they have to be drenched with rain water before getting to the church; or celebrate their reception standing on stools and being on Havianas instead of those new pairs of blue shoes—these did not matter anymore. Being with the most important person and being married to that person was the only thing that matters to them then.

The Ondoy Couples.

Photos are taken from Ms. Veluz's entry of her Ondoy Brides.

OT: Welcome to the Christian World Ichi!

My cute niece, Michiko Khame, received the Holy Sacrament of Baptism today at the St. John the Baptist Parish, Taytay, Rizal. It was a simple celebration where Ichi was surrounded by people who loves and adores her.

Who would not adore and love such cute angel?

OT: Happy Birthday Mama!

Your unconditional love and support kept me going through the years.

No matter how many times I’ve fallen, you are always there to help me get up on my feet.
You are my number one fan no matter what...

We often fight about a lot of things, big and small, major issues and petty issues.
But don’t ever think that I love and respect you less because for me you are one of the persons in this world that I cannot live without...

By your birthday next year, I am no longer just your “Bunso” but Ryan’s wife already.
But have no fear, because I will always be here for you supporting and loving like what you have always been to me....

Happy Birthday Mama! I love you!

OT: I am moving on...

Today , I start a new day...new colleagues, new environment, new office. I have moved on.

After what had happened a few months back with my previous office, I've reached my saturation point and knew that it was no longer healthy for me to stay with my previous office.

To the people I've come to know and have grown close with in my previous company, thanks for friendship and memories. I will see you on the wedding.

To my detractors, I have moved on! Farewell!

A big change is coming....

After the storm, the Lord gave me a new opportunity. I am accepting this opportunity. A big risk but I am taking my chances. I am moving on...

OT: Corregidor—the island of the bravest

The island of Corregidor was one of the last places in the Philippines to fall in the hands of the Japanese during the World War II. It was also the most bombarded area in the archipelago as it was one of the main defense fortresses of the US troops in their occupation here in the Philippines. Having such history, the island is believed to be hunted by the ghosts of the soldiers who perished during the war.

June 26-27, our department held our team building there. The first activity we had was a seminar talk regarding customer service and relations, since we interact directly with our clients, and a couple of team activities.

By 5:30, the seminar is over and the night tour of the island started. We first went to the old hospital and learned a few interesting history about the place. We were supposed to view the sunset in one of the batteries but it was drizzling that afternoon so we skipped that activity. Off we went to the infamous Malinta Tunnel. This is the part of the tour that really spooked me. It got really creepy as we went deep in to the laterals especially when we were in the 1000 beds hospital (historical note: after the main hospital was bombarded, they transferred the patients in one of the laterals of the Malinta tunnel where they lined up 1000 beds thus it was named as such). It got spookier when the tour guide asked us to turn off every light source that we have such as flash lights, cameras, mobile phones, etc… It was total darkness and the thought of being inside the tunnel made it even scarier.

I know I would not be able to easily fell asleep after being totally spooked by the place which is why I tried tiring myself out even more by swimming in the pool and having a few shots of alcohol. My efforts went to nothing because I was awake the whole night. I fell asleep for a few minutes but it was very shallow. The slightest movement of my roommate and softest sound outside our room would awaken me. That’s how spooked I was.

The following day, our AVP arrived and we explored the whole island. Touring the island by day is far less creepy since there is sunlight everywhere (the heat was actually terrible on our second day in the island). The tour ended with the lights and sounds show inside the Malinta tunnel again. This time, we walked through only on the main tunnel so I am more at ease and they had a lights and sounds show depicting the events that transpired inside the Malinta tunnel during World War II. And so our trip to Corregidor ended there. We were back in Manila by 4PM of June 27.

smiles inside the tramvia with two of my team members Judy & Noel

View of the island from the hotel

Our AVP with Reena & Gean from CS

Striking a pose with Judy & Donna

Ang maarteng solo shot ko.. =)

Ruins of the war

Another ruins of the war

Striking a pose in the memorial statue of the Japanese Cemetery in Corregidor. They actually allowed the Japanese to have a memorial in Corregidor.

Ryan and I were supposed to meet up and drop by the bridal fair in PICC which is just a few meters away from the port. But the plans did not pushed through and we had a fight over a few things. Lover’s quarrel as what they call it. =)

OT: It's my special day!

It's my Birthday! and this is a special birthday since this will be the last birthday I will be celebrating as a single individual. Although, nothing special happened that day. Ryan bought me a cake and enjoyed the spaghetti that my mom cooked for me. We later on went on a movie date and watched The Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.

My birthday cake!

Election 2010: Philippine's first ever automated election

Today, May 10, 2010, the Philippines held its first ever automated election. Consequently, it is also the Presidential election. I will practice my right to vote and vote for whoever I feel and trust will lead our country to prosperity. May everyone vote wisely and vote for the right candidate for the country. May it be our country who wins in this election.

the storm is now over...

I can now smile and laugh again. Thank you Almighty God for letting me see the sun again and lifting me up above the flood.

the storm...

At the start of the week last week, April 19, rain clouds started forming. I thought it was just a normal rain that will soon be over. But I was wrong. The rain clouds got bigger as if someone has been seeding it. Mid of last week, rain started falling. The rain did not stop. It only grew stronger and became a storm. Dark clouds covered the horizon; lightning striked everywhere; deafening thunders roared; strong winds brought things down; and waters rose.

I am sinking.

I am sinking in to the waters. And the “gods” are just watching. They started the storm and this is exactly what they want—for me to sink and drown.

Voices of little people whispered to me to fight. Fight the “gods” they said. My first inkling is really to stop and just let myself drown, and let the “gods” win. I don’t stand a chance with “gods”. But the little people told me I have a chance and that I should fight. They would help me. They would stand up with me.

I’m still troubled even with the support of the little people. The “gods” already told me that I have no other option but to just let myself drown. I feared for myself as strong winds tossed me around. As the clouds became darker and more rained poured, the more threatened and afraid I felt with the “gods”.

I felt numb and not sure what to do. I am at the brink of losing it, but the little people gave me a little spark of hope—a branch. I am clinging on to that branch with my very life and decided to fight the “gods”.

One…two…three days have passed. I am still holding on to that branch and have tightened my grip on it.

I am currently in the eye of the storm. The wind has stopped for a while and so did the rain. In a couple of days the tail of the storm will come, all of the wrath of the “gods” will come down on me. Help!


Father Almighty in heaven, I humbly come unto you to seek for help. Please be with me as I battle through this “storm”. Give me the wisdom, strength and courage that I would need in facing them. Hear me Lord, hear my prayers. May I receive a fair chance in this trial.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." --Deuteronomy 31:6

Welcome to the world Baby Ichi!!!

We waited for so long for her arrival and finally last night, at ten past midnight, my sister-in-law gave birth to a 5.12 lbs baby girl. She is the princess of the family--the unica hija. My first niece. The first granddaughter of my parents. And the first born of my brother.

Just imagine how excited we were when we heard her first cry outside of the delivery room and how thrilled we were when the nurse brought her out and showed her to us for a brief moment before bringing her up to the nursery room. My niece is so pretty and so adorable. I can't wait for her to grow up so I can dress her up with all those cute little dresses. It's as though I found myself a real-life barbie doll =)

WELCOME TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD BABY MICHIKO KHAME!